Are you looking for a fall maintenance checklist to prepare your windows for winter? It’s yet another cold winter head, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. The brrr is back, but this fall maintenance checklist can help you save more energy with your windows.
Now is the time to double down with your fall maintenance checklist and focus on your windows. Getting your windows winter-ready now will help you manage your energy use during the coldest months ahead, dubbed as the season of shivers. Instead of constantly cranking up the thermostat, you can minimize your energy consumption without breaking the bank. Best of all, energy-efficient windows can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
1. Check for Drafts
Did you know that inefficient windows can lose up to 30% of your home’s energy? One place to determine the performance of your windows is in terms of draftiness, otherwise known as air infiltration. Heat can escape through various points of your windows including:
- The sash
- The sill
- Where the sash meets the sill
If you notice drafts in these areas, it’s time to consider replacement as there is not a sufficient seal against the elements. Our windows are 23 times more airtight than most of our competitors, coming with a .01 CFM rating. Only a solid wall is 100% airtight against cold winter weather, but our windows come very close!
Meanwhile, if you are putting plastic over your windows to keep out the cold drafts, this is a major red flag that you must replace your windows NOW.
2. Beware of Foggy Windows
On this fall maintenance checklist, foggy windows might be a serious matter that needs your attention. Condensation is normal in several instances, but not when the fog won’t wipe away.
This happens because the fog is inside the glass panes in an area that can’t be accessed, as the seal on the inside has failed. Cloudy windows signal poor performance, and the only way to correct the situation is by replacement. This ensures that the energy-efficient gasses within remain enclosed between the panes, reducing heat transfer during the winter.
If your windows are foggy and they won’t wipe clean, know that they are not sufficiently insulating your home.
3. Check Your Summer Energy Bills (Were they Too High?)
Were your summer energy bills sky high? This is a sign that your windows aren’t properly performing. Unfortunately, your energy bills might not be a lot better this winter.
That’s because Massachusetts homeowners pay 29% more for energy bills than the rest of the country. While we can’t control gas or electricity costs here in MA, you can control the type of replacement windows you choose. For example, upgrading single pane windows to energy-efficient windows can yield a savings of $583 per year.
4. Window Frames are Rotted, Cracked, or Moldy
Old wood windows need a lot of maintenance. If you discover problems such as warping, mold, or rot, it’s time to replace them before winter arrives. This is because your windows will begin to deteriorate, if they haven’t already.
Windows in this condition also can’t properly insulate your home. If your windows are rotting and warped, you are probably seeing light around the frame of your windows. New vinyl replacement windows correctly fitted for your home will improve structural integrity and reduce drafts.
Meanwhile, window frames constructed from vinyl with foam in the hollow cavities provide an excellent layer of insulation. Dead air space inside window cavities won’t bring comfort or energy savings. That’s why foam is filled in areas such as the sashes to increase thermal efficiency. This can lead to lower energy bills in the winter and a more comfortable home.
5. Your Windows Rattle in the Wind
It’s fall and it’s windy—can your windows handle it? If you hear your windows literally rattle in the wind, this is a red flag that it’s time for replacement.
You’ll need to find windows that can withstand water and wind impact. This is the key to keeping your home comfortable, warm, and dry. New windows are tested for water resistance and sprayed with a continuous stream of pressurized water. The top windows can withstand winds of up to 56 mph and 8” of water per hour, which is 70% over the minimum industry requirements.
6. Your Windows Won’t Lock
If your windows won’t lock, this is both a security problem and an energy savings problem. A correctly-functioning window lock is necessary for enforcing the seal of the window. It closes up the small gaps that will otherwise allow air leakage and heat loss.
Meanwhile, your windows must lock to keep your family safe! A study on window security habits shows that 53% of people leave their windows unlocked, while 10% of people don’t think an open window poses a security risk. Unfortunately, an unlocked window is essentially an open door for theft and burglaries, especially with the upcoming holiday season.
See Your Home with New Windows for FREE in 3D
Visualize your home with new windows this fall, all in 3D for free! By booking an appointment for new windows now, there’s no need to worry about window performance, security, or energy bills during the upcoming months. We offer the best replacement windows for cold climates, certified by Energy Star to keep your home comfortable. Contact us now for a free quote.
